In-a-first, turbaned Sikh gets nominated to Canadian Senate

Ottawa: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has picked another turbaned Sikh for an important position in Canada. He has recommended the name of one prominent Sikh banker for the appointment as an Independent Senate member of Canada from the province of Ontario.

Sarabjit Marwah, who retired as vice chairman and chief operating officer at Scotia Bank in 2014, will be the first turbaned Sikh to become a Senator in Canada.

He will be one of the six Canadians who has been tipped for appointment as independent Senators by Justin Trudeau from Ontario. The Canadian PM announced his decision on Monday.

Marwah held a number of senior positions within Scotia Bank’s Finance Department and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 1998. In 2002, he was appointed Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer and three years later became Vice-Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer.

He was appointed vice chairman and chief operating officer in October 2008.

He has been active outside the workplace, serving on the boards of non-profit organisations, such as the C D Howe Institute, the Royal Ontario Museum, the United Way Campaign, the Toronto International Film Festival and the Hospital for Sick Children. He is a founding member of the Sikh Foundation.

Marwah is past chair of the Humber River Regional Hospital and was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canada. He earned a BA (Hons) and an MA in Economics and an MBA in Finance from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). AGENCIES